The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-25


 to any subject that was brought be- fore his notice, and then said with sigh:
 Don't you perceive, gentlemen, that the premises are wrong and con- sequently the whole structure falls to pieces. The story cannot possibly be true"
 The professor, need not say, is bachelor, and he has lived most of his life in the same London lodgings. Why Providence placed such man as he is in the midst of London never could understand. would as soon think of trusting e-year-old child on the streets of the great city as the professor, yet he has so far managed to get along without accident. He goes along the crowded streets with his mind far away, and sort of in- stinct seems to take him to the place he starts for. He will cross streets in the midst of roaring traffic that would appall man with his senses about him. Many a cab horse has been suddenly pulled back on it's launches to prevent the professor be- ing run over, and many a bus has been quickly swerved just in time to save him & broken limb, or worse. Curses loud and deep follow him, but they merely come back to roost beside the drivers who send them, for the professor goes on in his placid way, perfectly unconscious that he is being sworn at and equally oblivious to the fact that he has passed unscathed through all the dangers of cavalry charge. No master ever treated his slave with the exacting severity that the professors mind treats the pro- fessor's body. His mind is not inten- tionally tyrannical, it merely gives no thought to the bodily professor that the world sees and which to the mem tai professor is merely useful ar- engagement of bones and muscles very handy for transporting the mental professor here and there and for ab- sorbing such nutriment as the mental professor needs to carry on his calcu- lations. To the astonishment of the professor this only too willing slave has broken down under the burden imposed on it on one or two occasions.
 The doctor has said to him: My dear sir, you are killing yourself with overWork. You must have some mercy on yourself"
 These remarks bewildered the pro- lessor very much. He is of the opin- ion that if there is one man in London that is neglecting his opportunities and not doing half what he ought to, he is that man.
 A few weeks before I left London the professor invited me up to his rooms and then as usual forgot all about the appointment. AS waited for him his good landlady told me that she was seriously afraid that the professor would have another break down. That morning when she came } in to light the fire and lay the table for breakfast she was astonished to see the professor, wan and haggard, working away at his manuscript with the gas alight although it had been day for some hours.
 "Dear me !" he said looking up, T thought had had supperw "Supper !" cried the landlady. "This is breakfast. You surely haven't been working all night?"
 The professor seemed very confused and looked as guilty, the landlady ], said, as if he were burglar caught in the act He appeared to think that the night had played some sort of practical joke on him. And" said the landlady to me, "what is person to do with such man? Talking to him doesn't do the least good for he torgets all about it."
 |. "Thats easy enough" 1 said. "When- , ever you think it is time for the pro- lessor to be in bed just go down to the meter and turn off the gas. He will grope his way patiently to his room } and will never grumble." She was just expressing her admira- tion of this idea, when the professor 3 came in as cheerful and joyous as if 3 he had not been up all night. He was f much pleased and surprised to me, and said it was very kind of me to drop in 3 on him whenever had the chance.
 "Look here," said, Eff you want to l get out of your appointment with me, say so honestly; or admit frankly that s you had forgotten 1t; but don't try gammon, professor. You're not equal = to it."
 "No, no," he said with painful B earnestness. "You're wrong this f time. The appointment was. for to- 7 morrow"
 "To-day, professor"
 ! "I happen" said the professor glee- a Nllly atO hava tho maana Of nrOvino k what say. Knowing my proneness t to forget, I put down the day on my e tablets. Here it is. Wednesday, you
 see."
 :. "Exactly. To-day is Wednesday. 3